How Much Does an RN Make in Colorado in 2026?

A typical RN in Colorado earns about $48.20 per hour, or $100,260 per year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That works out to roughly $8,355 a month or $1,928 a week, figures calculated from the annual figure. These numbers reflect typical pay across the state, before city, setting, or experience are factored in.

Colorado pay runs 3% above the national figure of $97,550 a year, based on the same May 2025 data. That gap puts Colorado 14th among all 51 states ranked for RN pay. The state employs about 54,490 RNs, a workforce large enough to support consistent pay data across cities and settings. Nationally, RNs number about 3,379,720, so Colorado's share reflects a mid-size state workforce within a much larger profession.

Entry-level positions in Colorado typically offer around $38.22 an hour, or about $79,500 a year, for RNs just starting out. Slightly more experienced newcomers often see closer to $40.67 an hour, or $84,590 a year. Pay tends to move toward the state's typical figure of $100,260 within the first several years on the job. That climb usually reflects added clinical experience and, often, a shift into higher-paying units or facilities.

Experienced RNs in Colorado often earn upwards of $108,930 a year, matching the higher end of typical reported pay. The top 10% of earners make over $124,940 a year, or about $60.07 an hour. That leaves a spread of $45,440 between entry-level and top pay in the state. Setting, years of experience, and city all factor into where an individual RN lands within that range.

Colorado RN pay has climbed steadily over the past decade, from $68,540 in 2015 to $100,260 in 2025. That is a gain of $31,720, or a 46% rise over ten years. The increase has been fairly steady year over year, without sharp drops along the way. By 2024, typical pay had already reached $96,520, before the latest jump to this year's figure.

Nationally, RN pay rose 45% over the same ten years, putting Colorado's 46% gain almost exactly in line with the country as a whole. Pay in the state has moved up consistently rather than staying flat. For someone starting an RN career in Colorado now, that history shows steady growth, though it makes no promises about future pay.

Pay runs highest in Boulder, where RNs typically earn $103,290 a year, or $49.66 an hour, about 3% above the statewide figure. Denver, Aurora, and Centennial follow closely, each with typical pay of $101,130 a year, or $48.62 an hour. Fort Collins and Loveland come in a bit lower, at $97,600 a year. These figures cover each city's full metro area, not just the city limits.

Pay is lowest in Pueblo, where RNs typically earn $95,720 a year, or $46.02 an hour. That leaves a spread of $7,570 between the highest- and lowest-paying cities in Colorado. Centennial has the largest RN workforce in the state, with about 30,380 employed there. Lower pay in cities like Pueblo usually tracks a lower cost of living compared with Boulder or Denver.

Colorado's RN pay compares favorably with most of its neighbors. Arizona comes closest, at $99,500 a year, about 1% below Colorado. New Mexico trails by 6%, at $94,340, while Utah and Wyoming sit further back, at $84,600 and $83,760, roughly 16% lower. Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Kansas all pay less as well, with Kansas lowest at $79,320, 21% below Colorado. RN licensure earned in one state can often be transferred or endorsed into a neighboring one, easing a move across state lines.

RNs in Colorado typically earn $100,260 a year, or $48.20 an hour, having climbed 46% over the past decade. Pay varies by city, setting, and experience, from entry-level positions near $79,500 to top earners above $124,940. For current licensing requirements, readers can check Colorado's state nursing board or registry page; for pay specific to a city like Denver or Boulder, city-level pages offer more detail.